Cal Poly's Spanos Theatre Hosts Pianist Hough Oct. 14

September 22, 2004
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

CONTACT: LISA WOSKE
(805) 756-7110

Classical Pianist Stephen Hough to Play at Cal Poly Oct. 14

SAN LUIS OBISPO -- Possessing “a luminous, envelopingly
warm tone and enough technique for any two ordinary pianists” (Time
Magazine), classical pianist Stephen Hough makes his Central Coast debut
in the Spanos Theatre at 8 p.m. on October 14, 2004.

Widely known for his keyboard prowess, precision, strength, and speed,
Stephen Hough has emerged as a unique presence on the international
concert scene.

He has performed in recital at Carnegie Hall and The Louvre, made more
than 30 critically-praised recordings, and has appeared with major
orchestras around the world.

In recognition of his achievements and contributions to classical music,
Hough was awarded a 2001 MacArthur Foundation Fellowship (“genius grant”).

Presented by Cal Poly Arts, the evening program includes Berg’s “Sonata,
Op.1,” Schubert’s “Sonata in G Major, D.894,” the Granados “Valses
Poeticos,” “Evocacion and Triana (from Iberia)” by Albeniz, Debussy’s
“La Soir dans Grenade (from Estampes)” and “La Puerta del Vino (from
Preludes Book II),” Ravel ‘s “Alborado del Gracioso,” and “Caprice
Espagnol, Op.37” by Moszkowski.

Since winning First Prize in the Naumburg International Piano
Competition in 1983, Hough has performed with most of the major American
orchestras and numerous European orchestras with conductors including
Abbado, Dohnanyi, Dutoit, Gergiev, Levine, Rattle, Salonen, Temirkanov,
Tilson Thomas, and Vanska.

Hough regularly gives recitals in major halls and series all over the
world and has been a frequent guest at many international festivals
including Aspen, Ravinia, Tanglewood, Blossom, the Hollywood Bowl,
Mostly Mozart, Edinburgh, Salzburg and the Proms, where he has appeared
over a dozen times.

Recent performance highlights include engagements with the Philadelphia
Orchestra and the National Symphony; tours throughout the U.S. with the
BBC Scottish Orchestra and the Australian Chamber Orchestra; appearances
at Lincoln Center and the Kennedy Center with the Philharmonia Orchestra
led by Vladimir Ashkenazy; and recitals in Pittsburgh, Seattle,
Vancouver and Toronto.

European appearances include performances with the London Symphony
Orchestra, Israel Philharmonic,and the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra;
recitals at the Concertgebouw in Amsterdam and the Royal Festival Hall
in London; and chamber music projects at the Salzburg Festival,
Konzerthaus in Vienna, and Wigmore Hall.

In addition, Hough returned to Japan to appear with the NHK Symphony
Orchestra and at the Pacific Music Festival.

Stephen Hough has made over thirty recordings, many of which have won
international prizes, including Gramophone’s “Record of the Year” award
for “The Complete Works for Piano and Orchestra of Saint-Saëns” with the
City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra and for his 1996 recording of
concertos by Scharwenka and Sauer.

Additional recordings include Mendelssohn’s complete works for piano and
orchestra, Lowell Liebermann’s two piano concertos, Mompou’s solo piano
music (a Diapason d’Or and Gramophone Award winner), and his 1998
release, “New York Variations,” which was chosen as “Best Classical CD
of the Year” by Time magazine.

Hough’s latest releases are solo recital discs of Hummel, Schubert,
Liszt, Brahms and various English composers

As a chamber musician, Stephen Hough collaborates on a regular basis
with colleagues such as Steven Isserlis, Joshua Bell, Pamela Frank,
Tabea Zimmermann and Michael Collins.

He has also performed with the Cleveland, Emerson, and Juilliard
Quartets and recorded the complete sonatas of Beethoven and Brahms with
violinist Robert Mann.

A pre-concert lecture will be held by Cal Poly Music professor William
T. Spiller, beginning at 7 p.m. in the Philips Recital hall.

Tickets for the performance are $32 & $38, with student discounts
available, and may be purchased at the Performing Arts Ticket Office, 10
a.m. to 5 p.m. weekdays and 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturdays. To order by
phone, call 805/756-2787; to order by fax: 805/756-6088. Order on-line
at www.pacslo.org.